As usual, the Pirates have a nice blend of contact, speed, and power. Advance All-Star Sanacore hit .409 and was on base often last year. “He’ll bat lead-off,” said Tierney. “He gets on base and hits. He’s fast and good defensively, and he has to set the table.” Notaro will hit third. “He’s very good defensively, and has some pop,” said Tierney. Riches will handle the strong pitching staff and will bat cleanup. “He’s important in that he must drive in runs and play well defensively,” reasoned Tierney. Last year, DiBenedetto and Dilluvio were mostly one-inning pitchers who closed out games. Now, they are the key starters. “DiBenedetto is a lefty with a good fastball and slider,” explained Tierney. “He can be a strikeout pitcher. Dilluvio is a hard-throwing righty who can also be a strikeout pitcher. And D’Adessa has great control. As the season goes on, we’ll stretch them out. Razzore will be our main reliever. He has a good fastball and a cutter that moves nice.”

OUTLOOK

The goal in Huguenot is always a PSAL championship, so last year’s quarterfinal exit qualifies as a disappointment. “What cost us last year is we didn’t hit enough,” said Tierney. “The guys in the middle of the lineup have to drive in runs. We have a little power, but we have to steal and bunt, and we have to get guys in with less than two outs. I think this team can do it. We’re more balanced and we have better hitters as far as average. Our pitching and defense are good, and this team has a chance to be real good. How good we get is how far we’ll go. And if we (continue to improve), we can go all the way.” 